Monterey County Sheriff's: 5 arrested following DUI traffic stop

Five people were arrested Sunday on suspicion of weapons and gang crimes following a traffic stop just outside Salinas, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said.

At 11:13 p.m., the Sheriff's Office said, deputies stopped the driver of blue 2004 Honda Pilot suspected of driving under the influence on Old Stage Road at Hebert Road. They said the driver of the SUV nearly crashed into oncoming traffic.

The Sheriff's Office said the driver pulled over and all five of the SUV's occupants were contacted. They said the deputies noticed a shotgun on the floor board of the rear passenger seat as he spoke to the occupants.

During a search of the vehicle, the Sheriff's Office said, deputies found two shotguns - one of which was loaded. They said the other was a loaded 14 inch sawed-off shotgun. Drug paraphernalia and more than a gram of methamphetamine were also found, the Sheriff's Office said.

All of the occupants were suspected as either active Sureno criminal street gang members or associates, they said.